Of those you're looking at, and all good choices, I'd be inclined to pick the Ruger77.
It may need a little work on the trigger, but I've owned several Rugers over the last
30yrs., and never had a problem. They're pretty rugged and dependable.
I looked at a Remington 700CDL a couple weeks ago. Nice rifles, and I'm sure the Remington would give good service too. I just prefer the Ruger.
Barrels on the Remingtons are a little long (24" on std., and 26" on mags.). The Ruger will come with scope rings, and that can save you a couple $$$$ (use savings on better quality scope and more ammo to practice at longer ranges).
I'd nix the Browning. It's a good rifle, but as noted, has a detachable mag. Don't like those - they have a way of getting lost/misplaced, and that's the last thing you need when going on an out-of-state hunting trip.

The 30-06 will do nicely for elk. Use a good 180gr. bullet/ammo such as those with Nosler Partitions, Trophy Bonded or Core-Lokt Ultras. As noted, you might want to look also at the 7mmRem.Mag. (160gr. or 175gr. bullets). Both are good elk cartridges.
As for recoil, there's not much difference between the two. A good fitting rifle is most important. Pick what feels/fits you and your Dad best.
For a scope, I'd suggest a Leupold 2-7x or 2.5-8x. A 3-9x will also be good.

As mentioned by others, recoil is very similiar. Plus a good butt pad is worth it's penny in gold IMO for young shooters to help eliminate the flinch of the bigger guns. Also mentioned were some generalized loads, I too recommend the 160 gr bullet for Mulies/Elk out of the 7mm. Plenty of power and great flight. Either way, enjoy your new gun!

I used the 30-06 in a Rem 700 adl on two of my elk with no problems. I used Nosler partition bullets,180 gr. I now use a Ruger M-77 tang safety in 300 Win mag because I got a killer deal on it and I really like the old rugers. The other thing to think about is I don't know if this is a one time hunting trip or you plan to hunt elk again and what type of hunting you do at home. Are you going to use a 30-06 or 7mm mag at home or after the trip is over or are you going to sell them. 30-06 are much easier to sell, that is how I got my deal on my 300 win mag a guy hunted out west one time then didn't have any use for it back east. Just my 2 cents

30-06 would be all the gun a young shooter would need or want. Remington,Howa,weatherby vanguard,winchester would produce a usable gun as well as other brands.

I would compare rifles on how they fit and feel to you. I'm tall, but like a shorter stock with a heavy, weight forward barrel. Remington seems to fit me better out of the box.

pick the gun that fits you best. I use the shotgun method. Pick a target on the wall. with the rifle at waist level, close your eyes and raise it. see which models end up aimed closest to dead on the mark you picked. also which safeties do you like, remember that you need to be able flip it on quickly as you raise your rifle at an animal. Also there are rifles to stay away from more so than ONE particular rifle to pick for example the remington 710 is junk, just look at previous post for proof on that one. good luck.

Ya'll don't need no high caliber magnum to kill a elk. First when my
dad went elk hunting in CO he used a .270 and he has shoten I think 4
elk and all the bullets went threw accept for one bullet. I have a .30-06
and the .30-06 would just be fine. You can kill a elk with a .243. It's
the shot placement that counts.

You don't need skill either, but it sure helps. Seen too many guys who road hunt with big bulls in the back.

I shot my fair share of Elk with my 270 growing up, but still prefer the high cal. magnums now. If I was getting ready to go on an Elk hunt and buying a gun to do so, I'd lean towards the high cals (IMO). Like I mentioned above, don't need skill, don't need a high cal. weapon, but both sure help.

HunterForever04......Well, I guess I will have to call a spade a spade and agree with that fellar called Slamfire. You can't go wrong with a Savage rifle and they won't bankrupt your savings account in the process.

However, saying all that I am a Winchester pre-64 man, when it comes to hunting big game animals and especially those that would choose to dine on ones bones if you let them. I favor the .338 Winchester magnum caliber for elk and moose in the wild.

P.S. You just can't beat a 3 postition safety, big claw extractor and the control round fed magazine of a model 70 Winchester rifle. It has been called the "Rifleman's Rifle" for many a decade by serious hunters.

Well you said you can kill an elk with a 243, my neice(great shot with that gun 2) shot an elk at 15 yrds and we never found the bull, and my brother in law hit the elk(same elk) with his 30-06 and the biggest drop of blood we found was a dime size. So i would say that, and with the 30-06 for elk it wouldn't be that great of a gun for elk but it would work if you can put as much lead as possible in it. But if you want a gun that will take an elk down at 300 yards i would get a 7wsm,300, 338wm. (THIS ALL HAPPEND IN KREMMLING COLORADO)